Why “quick apply” can hurt your job search…

Quality over quantity matters in your applications.

Many people say it’s best to look for a new job when you are happy and settled in your current one. Casually applying to jobs while we are happily employed sounds great but often, we are so busy that we don’t make time to think about what is next. Plus, sometimes simply aren’t ready for change.

Most often, we decide to search for a job is the moment we’ve hit our limit with our current one. Or we’ve been downsized or let go from our current job. And when that happens, the need for a new job hits QUICK!

So we scour the job boards and submit application after application. And when we don’t see results, we start to apply more… and more.

We use the “quick apply” or “easy apply” feature and begin sending out resume after resume briefly reading the job description.

Applying quickly to any and every job posted can feel productive, but in reality, it isn’t doing you any good.

The “Quick Apply” feature on LinkedIn or other job boards was designed to be just that - a quick way to submit a generic application in a short amount of time. But there is more to you and your story than sending out the same application over and over.

When you quickly apply to roles you aren’t invested in, you’re wasting time and energy on things that don’t matter. Chances are, you aren’t going to hear back from those roles, because you only met some of the qualifications, and you didn’t bother to try to tailor your resume.

And if you do hear back – you may not be excited about the opportunity.  

So how do you land the role you really want? Get intentional with your job search.

This means:

• Getting clear on your career interests and deciding what is most important to you.

  • Is the size of the company important?

  • Is the industry important?

  • What kind of work energizes you?

  • What work matters to you?

• Tailoring your resume, and cover letter to the position

  • Emphasize how you match the job title and responsibilities

  • Show how your work matches the role

  • Explain why this is the right position for you.

• Building a personal brand that tells your story, highlights the value you bring and positions you as a top candidate.

  • Is your LinkedIn profile updated?

  • Is your messaging clear?

Does this really matter?

Yes! It may feel slow, but you’ll start to see a change in your job search results.

When you focus on what you are truly interested in, the end result will always be better.Your job search will be intentional, and will lead you to the role you want. Thoughtful choices in your job search lead to better interviews. And better interviews lead to better offers in the long run.

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Hi! I’m Christine Beck of Resume Focus: Resume Writing & Interview Coaching. I am a certified coach, resume writer, and HR professional, helping early to mid-career job seekers and mission-driven professionals, clarify their goals, tell their career stories, and navigate the job search with confidence.

Considering a career move? Applying but not seeing results? Let’s talk.